![[SPIED] Prototype C8 Corvette ZR1s are Back on the Street](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2024/020824_3b.jpg)
It’s been a little while since the heroes on the Corvette Team have had the C8 Corvette ZR1s out in public. Our last sight of them was at the Nurburgring in October last year where they shed their heavy black camo and raced around the German track in just GM’s vinyl camouflage. But now they are back and have been spied driving at least four new King of the Hills in Southern California.
The ZR1 prototypes were spotted in two different locations, so we have two photo sets to check out. Thei first shows two Coupes and two convertibles in a parking lot. In this group, two of the cars (coupe and convertible) each have the Z06’s high wing while the other two have the integrated spoiler on the rear deck like the Z06/E-Ray. Like the more recent sightings, Chevy is showing the wheels that will be specific to the ZR1 model.
![[SPIED] Prototype C8 Corvette ZR1s are Back on the Street](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2024/020824_4b.jpg)
For the second set of photos, the Corvette engineers appear to be gathering at their favorite eatery – McDonalds! If you kids remember, the very first C8 Corvette sighting occurred at a McDonalds in Cadillac, Michigan. As an aside, one of my favorite early blog posts in 2008 shared a moment when Corvette engineers at the Nurburgring drove a new C6 ZR1 to a McDonalds in Germany and we assumed they ordered some “Royals with Cheese”.
![[SPIED] Prototype C8 Corvette ZR1s are Back on the Street](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2024/020824_5b.jpg)
In this group, we count four ZR1 prototypes but one is across the way, so there may have been more. Just one of these Corvettes has the Z06-style high wing and the coupes have an extra covering across the rear engine hatch to keep out prying eyes from what we think is the LT7 V8 in the back. That engine is expected to have be a twin-turbo 5.5L V8 with twin turbos and VVT and AFM technologies according to the most recent leak of info from Chevrolet’s parts catalog.
![[SPIED] Prototype C8 Corvette ZR1s are Back on the Street](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2024/020824_6b.jpg)
![[SPIED] Prototype C8 Corvette ZR1s are Back on the Street](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2024/020824_8b.jpg)
As we were reviewing these photos, something that wasn’t present on this prototype Convertible was the upper rear air ducts on the top of the rear deck. We can see them on the Coupes that are shown. This car also has a lowest possible rear wing with no lip whatsoever.
![[SPIED] Prototype C8 Corvette ZR1s are Back on the Street](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2024/020824_7b.jpg)
A lot of people have been talking about the Corvette ZR1 that was shown to Chevrolet dealers during their annual meeting in Las Vegas last October as a harbinger for things to come. However, it seems from what we’ve been hearing is that the timeline may still be in flux as there were apparently some meetings at Bowling Green last year to determine whether or not this car would be built as a 2025 model or a 2026, with the decision to make it a 2025 appearing to win. When it does come, we expect it to drop in the middle of the model year run, much like the Z06 and E-Ray whose startups occurred months later following the model year changeover. For some crazy reason, GM sure does like launching their performance cars in January.
Take a closer look at the photos and let us know if you see anything interesting. We’ll make sure to check out the comments while enjoying our own selection of delicious fare from McDonalds.
Source:
C8 Corvette Owners – Facebook
Related:
[SPIED] C8 Corvette ZR1 Sheds Its Camouflage and It’s Even Better Than We Thought!
[SPIED] Following Behind Two 2025 Corvette ZR1s in Colorado
The Lords of Corvette’s ZR1 Take a German Lunch Break
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Don’t know what the hype for the ZR1 when GM can’t even produce the Z06 fast enough. Constraints after Constraints. No reason to get excited anymore.
Camouflage makes any vehicle attention getting. I can’t see the purpose of driving on public roads that way unless the company wants to create a buzz.
Any viewings of the interior modifications, such as the great wall of buttons going away???
These best be forced induction like they deserve to be
I saw these guys when I was leaving Friendly Hills El on Wed. afternoon. I was the white cargo van. Haha. Was freaking awesome. The sound of those ZR1s and the Z06s that were with them (and the Porsche that was a long for the ride) was epic.
The Z71s were nice too.
I hope they hire some more Manufacturing Engineers and Supply Chain experts so they can actually build them without dozens of constraints, unlike the Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray
Dayum, just abouts when I gettin’ comfy and acclimated to my three Z O6’s along comes this here ZR1. Whats I gonna do now? (sarc)
No one looked through the windows to check out the interior? The coupes have the upper intake covered, does it still manage to take in air? Assuming they and the convertibles actually all have them. Or will the convertible some how pull air from another way?
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